New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-10-09
A SITE FOR THE CATHEDRAL.
THE TRANSFER ALL BUT MADE.
o STAND WHERE THE LEAKE AND WATTS ORPHAN
uoIrsr Now Is-S1 900 QQQ TILE PRICE

TO STAND WHERE THE LEAKE AND WATTS ORPHAN
HOUSE NOW 1871 O0O,O00 THE PRICE.
generally understood that the trustees OF the pro-
posed Protestant Episcopal Cathedral have at last fixed
definitely upon building site Negotiations have been
going for weeks with the trustees OF the Leake
and Watts Orphan House for the big plot Of ground,
bounded by Observation-Disclosures, Morningsde
Drive, Onehundred andthirteenh-st and Tenth-ave.'
on which that asylum now stands. An agreement has
practically been reached between the two boards.
valuation OF the property has been made AMI the actual
drawing Of the papers OF SALE cnchng the bargain has
been postponed sad only because OF the absence in
Europe OF the Rev. Dr. Morgan Dix Dr. Dix as rector
OF Trinity Church, is the exolico head of the Leake
and Watts Board of Trustees He is also one OF the most
active and prominent members Of the Cathedral Board
and member OF its subcommittee on sites. He is ex-
pecred TO arrive from Liverpool to-day and In his
double capacity will doubtless be abb to push the
actual purchase quickly through.
The choice of sites for the great cathedral was
narrowed down early IN the summer to the foio
Grounds, at FiftL-ave. and Onehundred and feminist,
and the Leake and Watts properly. good deal OF
pressure brought to bear in favor OF the Polo
Grounds, point in their favor being their nearness
to Fifthavc. and the Park, and another their smooth
and level grade.
There were many conflicting interests at the Polo
Grounds, however. and the Morningsde Park site was
soon found both desirable and easier of purchase
The Leake and Watts Orphan House founded in
1881 and the present building put up in 1s43 Ac-
cordng to the will OF John c. Leake, its founder, it was
TO be kept in the hands of trustees the rector ami
two warens OF Trinity Church, the pastor of the Cole
giate Dutch Reformed Church. the pastor of the First
Presbyterian Church, the Mayor OF the city and the
Recorder The present members OF the Board were
these: the Rev DR.. Morgan Dix, stephen T. Nash ALA
Campbell. the Rev Dr Thomas +. Vcrnilye, the Row.
Richard d. Harlan, Mayor Hewitt and Recorder Smyth
The Rev. DIR. Dix and stephen F. Nash were both
Cathedral Trustees The Rev DR.. Ncrmilyc had de-
clared heartily for the scheme in public letter. The
Mayor. the Recorder and the Rev. Mr.. Harlan we're
known to he ready agree TO any action that would
both benefit the asylum and help the Cathedral project
along.
THE SALE WORKS WELL BOTH WAYS.
The orphan Houses income had been decreasing
steadily with the fall in rates OF interest and for some
years the expenses have ahead OF the revenues The
house was old and built without regard To economy OF
space, and il was thought good stroke % business to
sell ont the present property for Sl0OOOOO or So ana
build house further uptown or in one OF the cys
suburbs The sale had been talked over good deal
among the trustees OF the house ana finally committee
OF three with Allan Campbell. Recorder 5myth and John
NJ Knox, the treasurer OF the Board, as members was
appointed TO apprase the asylum grounds, preparatory
TO acting oilers FROM the Cathedral people. The ap
prasers decided that the site was worth about
100000.
The Cathedral trustees had expected to spend just
about that much for ground to build An offer OF
purchase, more less formal, has undoubtedly been
made. The Lcake and Watts trustees will be able to
take some definite action the Rev. Dr. DXs arrival
The Executive Committee OF the Cathedral Board has
held meetings recently. but one has been set for this
! week The work the project will be pushed this
winter The purchase OF a site viii, no doubt give a
fresh impetus the scheme and the trustees look for
large additions to the subscription lists.
No better site could he found In the city perhaps than
the three city blocks which the orphan House owns.
They the top and western slope OF the high blum at
the foot Of which, on the east Morninic Park begins
The Norungsle Drive along the edge Of the hill To
one hrtreuth- st. and then limbs the slope
and turns oil Il little 10 TIE west Tie asylum grounds
| stretch back from Tie drive 10 Tcu;havc.. slOpng
gradually from the top of the buh on the one hundred
and tcnih.t idle. whore the thorougAiarc has been
Graded tie side OF the hll l. cut on sharp ana the sie
walk - nfy sixty feet IN places below the orphan
House lawn.